[SET]
name: Physically Defensive
move 1: Body Press / Brave Bird
move 2: Spikes
move 3: Roost
move 4: Whirlwind / Iron Defense / Toxic
item: Leftovers / Rocky Helmet
ability: Dauntless Shield / Wandering Spirit / Flash Fire
nature: Impish
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Skarmory sets itself apart from Corviknight thanks to its access to utility moves like Whirlwind, Toxic and especially Spikes. Body Press takes advantage of its high Defense stat, which is notably higher than Corviknight's, and can 2HKO Heatran and Zarude as well as OHKO Terrakion. Brave Bird is an alternative that hits foes such as Dhelmise, Tapu Bulu, and Galarian Zapdos harder. Skarmory usually finds ample opportunities to set multiple layers of Spikes throughout a game to wear down the opposing team. Roost helps Skarmory stay healthy to continuously check threats like Zarude and Garchomp. Whirlwind prevents setup sweepers from exploiting Skarmory's passivity and also synergizes well with Spikes. Iron Defense is an option on Body Press sets that still checks setup sweepers and also makes Skarmory less passive. Another option is Toxic, which helps wear down both passive foes like Mandibuzz and setup sweepers like Dhelmise. Leftovers gives Skarmory extra recovery, while Rocky Helmet is an option that punishes contact moves. Skarmory can run several different abilities. Dauntless Shield maximizes Skarmory's defensive capabilities and Body Press damage. Wandering Spirit, especially combined with Rocky Helmet, deters U-turn and Flip Turn from Regenerator pivots such as Swampert and Landorus-T, and also lets Skarmory serve as an emergency check to sweepers that heavily rely on their ability such as Unburden Kommo-o and Triage Tapu Lele. Flash Fire negates one of its weakness and allows it to surprise dangerous Fire-type such as Volcarona and Desolate Land Heatran with Brave Bird and Body Press, respectively. It also allows Skarmory to check the plethora of physical Fire-types like Talonflame and Cinderace that can be hard to account for otherwise.
Skarmory's ability to set Spikes make it a better fit on stall teams compared to Corviknight, in particular entry hazard stack teams. Powerful offensive threats like Tapu Lele and Terrakion appreciate Spikes to nab more KOs. Offensive threats with a pivot move like Tapu Koko and Barraskewda can also rack up Spikes damage while still keeping offensive momentum by forcing additional switches. Heatran can set entry hazards alongside Skarmory, threaten to eliminate entry hazard removers with Magma Storm and Taunt, and also check Genesect. In return, Skarmory can cover for Heatran's weakness to Ground, and Dauntless Shield variants can also handle dangerous Fighting-types like Terrakion. Many Ground-type Pokemon also make for good partners, as they can take on Electric attacks and set Stealth Rock. Swampert and Garchomp are notable partners thanks to their resistance to Fire. Special walls are needed, as Skarmory invites many special attackers in when it set Spikes. Blissey forms the famous SkarmBliss core, taking on dangerous special threats like Zapdos and Sheer Force Tapu Lele while regaining momentum with Teleport while Skarmory handles strong physical attacks that Blissey struggles against. Pixilate Tapu Koko is one of the most dangerous physical threats that Skarmory can't properly handle regardless of its ability choice, so it's vital to have a teammate that answers it such as Ferrothorn or Nidoqueen. Without Dauntless Shield, strong physical wallbreakers like Terrakion can 2HKO Skarmory, which partners like Mew and Palossand can deal with. Physical Fire-types such as Cinderace and Talonflame also pose a threat should it forgo Flash Fire, making Zapdos and the aforementioned Swampert great teammates.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Intimidate allows Skarmory to check Galarian Zapdos and Tough Claws Zarude better, but is otherwise not as useful as Dauntless Shield.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Specially Offensive Pokemon**: Skarmory has a middling Special Defense stat, so even neutral special attacks and even some resisted ones from strong offensive threats can 2HKO it. Examples include Sheer Force Tapu Lele and Latios. Tapu Koko and Zapdos deserve a special mention thanks to their Electric STAB attacks.
**Fire-type Pokemon**: If Skarmory doesn't have Flash Fire, Fire-type attacks from Heatran and Choice Band Cinderace can OHKO it.
**Strong Physical Wallbreakers**: If opting out of Dauntless Shield, strong physical wallbreakers like Barraskewda and Terrakion can 2HKO Skarmory on the switch.
**Magic Bounce**: If Skarmory doesn't have Mold Breaker, Magic Bounce turns Skarmory's Spikes against it and also blocks Whirlwind and Toxic. Bulky Magic Bounce users with recovery that can handle its attacks like Mew can then proceed to set up or pivot to gain momentum.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[longhiep341, 500884]]
- Quality checked by: [[UT, 523866], [Osake, 524664]]
- Grammar checked by: [[UT, 523866]]
name: Physically Defensive
move 1: Body Press / Brave Bird
move 2: Spikes
move 3: Roost
move 4: Whirlwind / Iron Defense / Toxic
item: Leftovers / Rocky Helmet
ability: Dauntless Shield / Wandering Spirit / Flash Fire
nature: Impish
evs: 252 HP / 252 Def / 4 Spe
[SET COMMENTS]
Skarmory sets itself apart from Corviknight thanks to its access to utility moves like Whirlwind, Toxic and especially Spikes. Body Press takes advantage of its high Defense stat, which is notably higher than Corviknight's, and can 2HKO Heatran and Zarude as well as OHKO Terrakion. Brave Bird is an alternative that hits foes such as Dhelmise, Tapu Bulu, and Galarian Zapdos harder. Skarmory usually finds ample opportunities to set multiple layers of Spikes throughout a game to wear down the opposing team. Roost helps Skarmory stay healthy to continuously check threats like Zarude and Garchomp. Whirlwind prevents setup sweepers from exploiting Skarmory's passivity and also synergizes well with Spikes. Iron Defense is an option on Body Press sets that still checks setup sweepers and also makes Skarmory less passive. Another option is Toxic, which helps wear down both passive foes like Mandibuzz and setup sweepers like Dhelmise. Leftovers gives Skarmory extra recovery, while Rocky Helmet is an option that punishes contact moves. Skarmory can run several different abilities. Dauntless Shield maximizes Skarmory's defensive capabilities and Body Press damage. Wandering Spirit, especially combined with Rocky Helmet, deters U-turn and Flip Turn from Regenerator pivots such as Swampert and Landorus-T, and also lets Skarmory serve as an emergency check to sweepers that heavily rely on their ability such as Unburden Kommo-o and Triage Tapu Lele. Flash Fire negates one of its weakness and allows it to surprise dangerous Fire-type such as Volcarona and Desolate Land Heatran with Brave Bird and Body Press, respectively. It also allows Skarmory to check the plethora of physical Fire-types like Talonflame and Cinderace that can be hard to account for otherwise.
Skarmory's ability to set Spikes make it a better fit on stall teams compared to Corviknight, in particular entry hazard stack teams. Powerful offensive threats like Tapu Lele and Terrakion appreciate Spikes to nab more KOs. Offensive threats with a pivot move like Tapu Koko and Barraskewda can also rack up Spikes damage while still keeping offensive momentum by forcing additional switches. Heatran can set entry hazards alongside Skarmory, threaten to eliminate entry hazard removers with Magma Storm and Taunt, and also check Genesect. In return, Skarmory can cover for Heatran's weakness to Ground, and Dauntless Shield variants can also handle dangerous Fighting-types like Terrakion. Many Ground-type Pokemon also make for good partners, as they can take on Electric attacks and set Stealth Rock. Swampert and Garchomp are notable partners thanks to their resistance to Fire. Special walls are needed, as Skarmory invites many special attackers in when it set Spikes. Blissey forms the famous SkarmBliss core, taking on dangerous special threats like Zapdos and Sheer Force Tapu Lele while regaining momentum with Teleport while Skarmory handles strong physical attacks that Blissey struggles against. Pixilate Tapu Koko is one of the most dangerous physical threats that Skarmory can't properly handle regardless of its ability choice, so it's vital to have a teammate that answers it such as Ferrothorn or Nidoqueen. Without Dauntless Shield, strong physical wallbreakers like Terrakion can 2HKO Skarmory, which partners like Mew and Palossand can deal with. Physical Fire-types such as Cinderace and Talonflame also pose a threat should it forgo Flash Fire, making Zapdos and the aforementioned Swampert great teammates.
[STRATEGY COMMENTS]
Other Options
=============
Intimidate allows Skarmory to check Galarian Zapdos and Tough Claws Zarude better, but is otherwise not as useful as Dauntless Shield.
Checks and Counters
===================
**Specially Offensive Pokemon**: Skarmory has a middling Special Defense stat, so even neutral special attacks and even some resisted ones from strong offensive threats can 2HKO it. Examples include Sheer Force Tapu Lele and Latios. Tapu Koko and Zapdos deserve a special mention thanks to their Electric STAB attacks.
**Fire-type Pokemon**: If Skarmory doesn't have Flash Fire, Fire-type attacks from Heatran and Choice Band Cinderace can OHKO it.
**Strong Physical Wallbreakers**: If opting out of Dauntless Shield, strong physical wallbreakers like Barraskewda and Terrakion can 2HKO Skarmory on the switch.
**Magic Bounce**: If Skarmory doesn't have Mold Breaker, Magic Bounce turns Skarmory's Spikes against it and also blocks Whirlwind and Toxic. Bulky Magic Bounce users with recovery that can handle its attacks like Mew can then proceed to set up or pivot to gain momentum.
[CREDITS]
- Written by: [[longhiep341, 500884]]
- Quality checked by: [[UT, 523866], [Osake, 524664]]
- Grammar checked by: [[UT, 523866]]
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